In a previous blog item I listed how to start getting CANDOER Group e-mail notices. I listed an incorrect e-mail address to join the group: The correct address is: candoers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you are NOT receiving group messages it is because you are not on the email list. Please send a blank message (no subject - no text) to the above address and you will automatically be added.

The September CANDOER Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, September 10, starting at 11:30 at the TGIFriday's in Springfield. CANDOER Joe Rinker (from Phoenix, AZ) will be in town and attending the luncheon. With him will be his daughter, Sue and her husband, Bob (from Wisconsin). Also in attendance will be his son, Mike (from Sterling, VA). Let's have a BIG turnout to welcome Joe and his family!

I will be sending out a yahoogroups e-mail as a reminder. If you have not joined the yahoogroups list, please do so if you want to receive these notifications and other information about other CANDOERs. It is easy to do. Just send a blank message (no subect, no text) to candoers-subscribe@yahoogroups.COM. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE JUNK MAIL IF YOU SUBSCRIBE. ALL REPEAT ALL MESSAGES SENT TO THE CANDOERS@YAHOOGROUPS.COM MUST BE APPROVED BY ME BEFORE THEY ARE TRANSMITTED TO THE GROUP!

We have several new members. A big CANDOER WELCOME to Janette (Jann) and Danny Corsbie, Marcellus and Samira Davis, Tina Kuligowski, Will and Terri Lanzet, Christine and John Rider (Formerly Christine Liu) and Todd and Sadie (did not furnish a last name so will not be added until I receive one from them).

Marco Island - Thomas Joseph Ramsey, 73, of Akron, Ohio passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on July 28, 2019, in Naples, Florida, after a ten-year-long battle with cancer.

Thom is survived by his wife of 44 years, Margaretha Ramsey (van Woudenbergh), son Michael Ramsey, daughter Patricia (Gill) Ramsey and her husband Matthew Gill, grandsons Alex and Thijs Gill, and a loving extended family from Ohio, Italy and the Netherlands. Thom was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and a loyal friend to a great many people across the world.

He was born in Akron, Ohio, the youngest son to Kathryn and Ernest Ramsey, and brother to William Ramsey. He attended Springfield high school and spent summers working on railroads and steel mills before enrolling in Miami University of Ohio, in Oxford, OH, where he studied political science and pre-medical chemistry and zoology. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1968 and served with distinction in the US Army until 1971. There he flew in aerial reconnaissance aircraft as a photographer, and like many other service members was exposed to Agent Orange, which likely contributed to five primary cancers later in his life.

Following the end of his military career, Thom continued his education in law and government; he received his Juris Doctor from Ohio State University College of Law, and in 1973 traveled to Amsterdam to follow a legal course in European integration. It was there that he met the love of his life, Margaretha 'Marry' van Woudenbergh, whom he married in 1975. He finished his studies in the Netherlands, obtaining a graduate diploma from the University of Amsterdam in community law, and later attended the Hague Academy of International Law.

His career in public service began as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio, before moving to the Washington D.C. area in 1975, where he served as an official with the US Department of State, in the Department's Office of the Legal Adviser. His last assignment in civil service was as Deputy US Coordinator and Deputy Bureau Director for International Communications and Information Policy, a position that carried the rank of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.

Eventually, Thom settled into private practice, and in 1988 he joined Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (now Squire Patton Boggs) as a partner, before moving with his family to Brussels, Belgium in 1991, where he became one of the architects of the firm's global expansion in the 1990s. Drawing on his experience as a telecommunications specialist at the U.S. Department of State, he recognized the unique opportunities presented by the liberalization of the EU's telecoms regulatory regime and the growing market demands of the newly emerging democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. During his career, he represented a broad array of public and private sector clients in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East.

In 2008, Thom and Marry decided to make their vacation home in Marco Island, Florida, their permanent place of residence. Retirement never crossed his mind; over his last few years, through illness, he co-founded a business consultancy firm, the Anglo-American Group, studied for a new career in mediation law, and mentored students in Immokalee, Florida.

Thom was a bold globetrotter, aided by a tireless and adventurous spirit. His understanding of world affairs, cultures, politics, and history eclipsed most others and his desire to share his knowledge was what drew others to him. He was considered a caring mentor and inspiration to many people throughout his life, and his empathetic, upbeat personality was his most defining trait; he respected and loved people of all stripes and backgrounds and often made those who disagreed with his views his closest friends.

He was a man of profound optimism and love for his family whom he valued above all else. He lived a life of love, curiosity, enthusiasm, and adventure, and retained his intrepid imagination until the very end.

He will be sorely missed.

Thom will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, with a date yet to be decided. There will be a celebration of life held at the same time in Washington D.C. In lieu of flowers, his family kindly asks for a donation to National Public Radio, of which Thom was an avid listener. https://www.npr.org/about-npr/628389224/donate-to-public-radio

I apologize for the large gap in keeping the web site up-to-date. On June 12 my wife was rushed to the hospital with what was thought to be pneumonia. She was in the ICU at Fort Washington Medical Center until the 26th of June at which time she was transferred to a Rehabilitation facility. She was in the Rehab facility until the 27th of July when she was released to come home. On the 14th of August she was admitted to ANOVA Fairfax Hospital, for again what was diagnosed as pneumonia by the Emergency Room doctors. She was put on six liters of oxygen to maintain a oxygen level of 90. They decided to call in a Pulmonologist to take a closer look at her chest x-rays. He took one look and asked Nancy if she was on Amiodarone (used for AFib). She told him yes, for seven years. He immediately ordered her moved to an Intermediate Care Unit and put on steroids. She did not have pneumonia, she had Amiodarone Toxicity (the Amiodarone was attacking her lungs, muscles and overall health). Within 48 hours they were able to reduce the oxygen to 2 liters and she was moved from the Intermediate Care Unit to a regular bed. Yesterday she was taken off oxygen and told she could be released to a rehabilitation facility as soon as a bed was available. She may be in there for 2-4 weeks to get her strength back. I have been spending 10-12 hours a day with her, so have not had time to work on my three web sites. Hopefully now I can get some time to keep them up-to-date.

For those of you who were aware of what was going on with Nancy and sent her get well cards or called and wished her to get well, we both thank you!

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officially announced the dates for the 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season which will run from Monday, November 11 through Monday, December 9, 2019. This open season is for the 2020 plan year of federal benefit programs.

Mr. Shaw was born and raised in St. Louis County, Missouri and served in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. In 1961, he joined the U.S. Foreign Service where he served for 30 years at American Embassies in Burma, Guatemala, Belgium, Paraguay, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Egypt, Bolivia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. His immediate family was so fortunate to have traveled the world and experienced a multitude of cultures.

I was just notified by Janet Shaw that her CANDOER husband, Oliver, died Saturday morning. I immediately phoned her to get details. She was in the midst of writing the obituary with her off-spring, but was constantly interrupted by things.

I offered to assist her in notifying our world for which she was most thankful. As soon as I receive the details and obituary, I'll forward them to you for distribution in the CANDOER world.

Received a call informing me of the passing of Thom Ramsey followed by the attached message from his daughter on behalf of her Mom, which includes contact information for those wishing to correspond.

I'm sure a number of the old OC folks will remember Thom. He was an innovative guy with a fine creative mind and endless energy. He served in the Office of Legal Advisor prior to joining OC where he served as Director of Inter Agency Affairs and later in several senior positions outside of OC. After leaving State he became a very prominent member of one of the largest and most influential Washington law firms. I WIll miss him!

Barry was a long-time GS employee of OC/T. At the time of his retirement he worked in the Programming Section of OC/T

Barry Jon Aikin, 77, of Shady Side, Md. Passed away on August 2, 2019, at his home surrounded by family.

He is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Ivadelle Aikin, his sister, Lani Boaz, his brother, Craig Aikin and his grandsons, Jon Russell Aikin and James William Aikin.

Barry retired from the U.S. Dept. of State after 43 years of service. He enjoyed traveling to work each day on his Harley Davidson and then his red Corvette. His favorite place to travel was to Hawaii where he lived for a few years when he was a young boy. He loved watching the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger and doing crossword puzzles. His hometown sports were the Washington Nationals and Washington Redskins. Attending his children and grandchildren's activities was also one of his favorite things to do.

Survivors include his loving wife Elizabeth of 58 years of marriage, his six children Patrick, Mary, Carolyn, Susan, Brian, and Rebecca, twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-one great grand children. A viewing will be held at Hardesty Funeral Home, Galesville, Md. On Tuesday Aug. 6,2019 from 12-2 pm. Funeral Service at 2 pm. Private burial.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Michael J Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson disease.

For those wishing to send Liz and the family the following is furnished:

1. I have completed and posted the NAMES ONLY-Membership list. I reiterate, if you want information about a member, send me an e-mail message and I will furnish it.

2. A reminder, the e-mail Web pages are NO LONGER PASSWORD protected. If you want your email address removed I will honor your request.

3. If you are NOT receiving CANDOER notices, you can add your name to the CANDOERYAHOO GROUP e-mail list by sending a blank message (NO SUBJECT/NO TEXT) to: CANDOERS-SUBSCRIBE@YAHOOGROUPS.COM.

4. I have been able to recovery my separate e-mail list that contained some of the members who did not subscribe to the YAHOOGROUP e-mail list. If you are NOT getting notices, you are not on either list. Either subscribe to the YAHOOGROUPS e-mail list or send me a message and ask me to add you to my separate e-mail list.

One of our members discovered that you could access the members directory without using a password which meant that all your information was exposed to anyone who want to access it. I tried to fix the problem for the past three days to no avail. I just do not have the expertise needed to do so. Therefore, I have moved the Members Directory off-line. If you need information about a member send me an email message and I will look it up and send it to you.

In addition, I have removed the password program. All e-mail addresses are now open for anyone to view. If you wish to have your e-mail address removed, let me know and I will honor your request.

I am working on a page that will show the members names only. This is going to take some typing so it may be a few days before I get it posted.

Also, my desktop computer had to be replaced. I was unable to recover the group message I used to send information to the CANDOERs. The Yahoo Group addresses are still good. If you have added your e-mail address to this group you will receive CANDOER notices. I had a separate address book on my computer that I used to send CANDOER notices to people who were not on the Yahoo Group list. That list was not recovered. Because of this, if you are not on the Yahoo Groups list you will no longer receive CANDOER notifications unless you add your self to the Yahoo Group list. You can do this by sending a blank message (no subject - no text) to the following: candoers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Born June 15, 1932, in New York, NY, he was the son of the late Frank C. and Helen Bohland Scott.

Colonel Scott was a Soldier, Diplomat, and Student. He served honorably during the Cold War from 1954 until 1982, serving in Europe, Middle East, South and Central America, and Asia, specializing in telecommunications supporting crisis management operations. He saw action in Lebanon 1958, Venezuela 1963-1966, and Vietnam 1967 & 1968. He was awarded personal decorations by the Departments of the Army, Defense, and State. Colonel Scott was also decorated by the Venezuelan and Spanish Governments. He was medically discharged from the Army in 1982. He joined the Department of State in 1978 in Washington, DC, where he remained until his retirement in 1994. At the Department, he served with the Office of Communications in various top level positions. His last assignment at the Department was representing the United States at NATO's Civil Communications Planning Committee.

A lifelong student, Colonel Scott was a graduate of Clarkson College of Technology, U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College, Escuela de Estado Mayor in Madrid, Spain, and Harvard's Program for Senior Managers in Government. In addition, he attended courses at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL; studying theology, history, music, and advanced Spanish. These last years of learning were devoted to his search for the answers to his questions, 'What is the Lure of Religion?' and 'How did we get Here'? Colonel Scott's conclusion as to the religious questions was twofold, God has placed in us a soul and then it is man's journey to find God and know Him. The study of evolution of life's systems satisfied the second question.

Finally, in retirement, he volunteered with Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, which provided free medical services and drugs to the working poor of Lakeland, FL.

Surviving is his beloved wife of 44 years, Joyce Campbell Scott, whom he married on July 5, 1975; two sons, Hugh Bradford Scott (LCDR. USN, Ret.) of Montgomery Village, MD and Bruce Johnson Scott, (LTC, US Army, Ret.); step-son, Curtis Ray Imes of St. Thomas, PA; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, July 5, 2019, at 10 AM at the Chapel at Menno Haven, 2011 Scotland Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201, where Chaplain Art Page officiated. Inurnment with full military honors and a chapel service at the Old Post Chapel will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In a telephone conversation with Scotty's wife, Joyce, this morning she said that Scotty's health had deteriorated and he was falling often. The last fall resulted in a broken vertebrae in his neck and great pain. The facility where he was staying said that they could no longer care for him and recommended Hospice. Given his condition, Joyce felt that his passing was a blessing.

There was a private ceremony on July 5th. There will be another ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, the date of which has not been finalized but Joyce thinks it will be in about six months.

George Ronie Younts, Jr. was born July 5, 1931 in Greensboro, NC. He passed on to his next journey on July 3, 2019.

George was in the Air Force for four years prior to going to Texas A&M, where he earned his Engineering Degree. He then attended GW out of Fort Worth, Texas and earned his Masters in Political Science. George worked as a Diplomat for Foreign Service through the State Department.

George is survived by his wife, Patricia N. Younts of 64 years. He had three children, Vicki Lynn Brown, George Michael Younts and is survived by his 3rd child, John Nolan Younts. He is also survived by his three grandchildren; Lisa Hall, Kelsey Younts and Waverly Younts. George was also lucky enough to be survived by his two great-grandchildren; Zachary Hall and Seneca Hall.

We will always remember what a great man you were and all of the memories on Ladyslipper Lane, skiing in Vail and Austria, our many trips to Hilton Head and all of the jokes you told. We love you PoPo xoxo.

A Celebration of Life was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2019 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 9325 West Street, Manassas, VA 20110.

We were informed that Edward C. Saunders, a retired FS IRM'er died Sunday, June 30, 2019, in Leominster, Massachusetts. Ed was 82 and retired from the US Army, mostly in Army Security Agency, before joining the Foreign Service. He and his wife Kay were posted to Cairo, Monrovia, Bonn BAX, Johannesburg, and SA-21. I will miss him and his gruff sense of humor.

Edward Charles Saunders, of Leominster, MA died on Sunday, June 30th, 2019 at St. Francis Nursing and Rehabilitation in Worcester, MA after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Edward was born on January 10, 1938 in Lancaster, PA. He served over 20 years in the US Army, during his time in Vietnam that he received the bronze medal for acts of heroism. After retiring he began a career with the US State Department.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Charles Saunders and Nelda Saunders and sister Gloria Saunders Frye.

My son forwarded the following Department Notice to me for publication:

Passing of Joe W. Ellis

It is with great sadness that the Bureau of Information Resource Management announces the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Mr. Joe Ellis on Saturday, June 15, 2019 in Woodbridge, VA.

Joebegan his career with the Department in 1992 as a Civil Service Telecommujnications Specialist in the Burea of IRM after retiring from the US Army.

In 2012, Joe retired and condinued work with IRM as a contractor.

Joe was hailed by many of his colleagues and friends for his cheerfulness and dedication. His infectious humor along with his "can-do" approach to life and work, infused by a spirit and energy that we will long remember. Joe was the Philadelphia Eagles #1 fan, and he often arrived at work wearing his sports apparel thoughtout the football season.

Joe is survived by his wife Dr. Ester Johnson-Ellis, two sons, Maurice Sr. and Bryon; one daughter, Valda, and a host of other family members and riends.

I received word from Rob Robinson that he received word from Mike that his wife had passed away. With Mike's permission, I forward the following:

It is with deep sadness that I tell you that my wife, Arlette, passed away yesterday (June 27). She had been suffering with Vascular Dementia for two years after she had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in August of 2017. I ask for you prayers!

The following is furnished for those wishing to send Mike a note of condolences:

A U.S. Navy veteran and English teacher, Lindsey joined the Foreign Service as a communications officer and served overseas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazzaville, Bonn, Maputo and Abu Dhabi. He retired in 2010 after 28 years of service. He also worked as an air traffic control trainer and volunteered at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the Federal Aviation Association and Washington Dulles and Leesburg Airports. In 2011, Lindsey was selected to sing for Pope Benedict during a visit to Washington, D.C., and in 2015, he also sang for Pope Francis.

Lindsey is survived by his sister-in-law, Ann; two nieces and two nephews.

On the morning of March 20, 2019, Wesley James Lincoln died at age 77 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Thomas Funeral Home Chapel, 401 N. Ennis Street Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Wesley was born in Troy, New York to the late Charles and Edith Lincoln. In September 1965 he married Beverly Eileen Lincoln, and together they raised five children. He served his country in the US Army and later in the Foreign Service for 20 years. Over his distinguished career he traveled to 80 countries. He will be remembered for his curious mind, kindness, and gentle humor.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beverly Lincoln; children, Pamela Lincoln of North Dartmouth, MA, Dennis Lincoln and wife, Lilia Rubin of Spring, TX, Douglas Lincoln and wife, Nicole Lincoln of Oakton, VA, Carol Lincoln and husband, Rodger von Kries of Roslindale, MA, and Nicole Moses and husband, David Moses of Fuquay-Varina, NC; sister, Constance Delaney and husband, John Delaney of Zephyrhills, FL and Angela LaCroix and husband, George Lacroix of Greenfield, MA; and twelve grandchildren.